(a) Determination.--Where the paternity of a child born out of wedlock is disputed, the determination
of paternity shall be made by the court in a civil action without a jury. A putative
father may not be prohibited from initiating a civil action to establish paternity.
The burden of proof shall be by a preponderance of the evidence. Bills for pregnancy,
childbirth, postnatal care related to the pregnancy and genetic testing are admissible
as evidence without requiring third-party foundation testimony and shall constitute
prima facie evidence of amounts incurred for such services or for testing on behalf
of the child. If there is clear and convincing evidence of paternity on the basis
of genetic tests or other evidence, the court shall upon motion of a party issue a
temporary order of support pending the judicial resolution of a dispute regarding
paternity. The Supreme Court shall provide by general rule for entry of a default
order establishing paternity upon a showing of service of process on the defendant
and a subsequent failure to appear for scheduled genetic testing.

(b) Limitation of actions.--

(1) An action or proceeding under this chapter to establish the paternity of a child born
out of wedlock must be commenced within 18 years of the date of birth of the child.

(2) As of August 16, 1984, the requirement of paragraph (b)(1) shall also apply to any
child for whom paternity has not yet been established and any child for whom a paternity
action was brought but dismissed because of a prior statute of limitations of less
than 18 years.

(c) Genetic tests.--

(1) Upon the request of any party to an action to establish paternity, supported by a
sworn statement from the party, the court or domestic relations section shall require
the child and the parties to submit to genetic tests. The domestic relations section
shall obtain an additional genetic test upon the request and advance payment by any
party who contests the initial test.

(2) Genetic test results indicating a 99% or greater probability that the alleged father
is the father of the child shall create a presumption of paternity which may be rebutted
only by clear and convincing evidence that the results of the genetic tests are not
reliable in that particular case.

(3) To ensure the integrity of the specimen and that the proper chain of custody has been
maintained, the genetic tests of the biological mother, the child or children in question
and the alleged father should be conducted by an established genetic-testing laboratory
in the course of its regularly conducted business activity, and certified records
should be issued. The certified records shall be admissible into evidence without
further foundation, authentication or proof of accuracy if no objection is made within
ten days prior to trial. The laboratory must be certified by either the American Association
of Blood Banks or the American Association for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics.

(4) If the court or domestic relations section orders genetic testing, the domestic relations
section shall pay the cost of the test, subject to recoupment from the alleged father
if paternity is established.

(5) A determination of paternity made by another state, whether through judicial proceedings,
administrative proceedings or by acknowledgment of paternity, shall be given full
faith and credit in the courts of this Commonwealth.

(6) A determination of nonpaternity made by another state with respect to a public assistance
recipient shall not be binding upon the Department of Public Welfare unless the defendant
shows that the department had actual notice of the proceedings, including the date
and time of any trial, and a fair opportunity to participate in all material proceedings
through counsel of its own choice.

1997 Amendment. Act 58 amended subsecs. (a) and (c)(1), (4) and (6). Act 58 of 1997 was suspended
by Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure No. 1910.50(3), as amended May 31, 2000, insofar
as it is inconsistent with Rule No. 1910.20 relating to the availability of remedies
for collection of past due and overdue support.